Service academy nominations.
Senator Armstrong considers it a privilege to nominate outstanding young Oklahomans to the United States Service Academies. Nominations are one of the office’s most important responsibilities, and the Senator’s Academy Selection Board reviews every applicant on the basis of academic, athletic, and leadership accomplishment.
About the Nomination Process
A nomination is one of three things every candidate needs.
Four of the five U.S. Service Academies — the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy — require a nomination from a member of Congress, the Vice President, or another authorized nominator before they will consider a candidate for admission. The fifth, the United States Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination.
To be admitted to one of the four academies that do require a nomination, a candidate needs all three: a nomination, a passing score on the Candidate Fitness Assessment, and an offer of appointment from the academy itself after its own admissions review. Our office handles the nomination piece. The application below is how that piece starts.
Eligibility
Federal eligibility requirements.
Federal law sets the requirements for service-academy nomination. As of July 1 of the year you would enter an academy, you must meet all of the following:
U.S. citizen
Candidates must be citizens of the United States.
Oklahoma resident
Senator Armstrong’s nominations are reserved for legal residents of the State of Oklahoma.
Age 17 to 22
At least 17 years old, and not yet 23 years old, as of July 1 of the year you would enter the academy.
High-school graduate
You must graduate from high school before July 1 of the year you would enter the academy.
Unmarried and without dependents
Candidates must be unmarried, not pregnant, and without legal obligation to support children or other dependents.
If you have limited internet or computer access and cannot submit your application online, please contact our Oklahoma City office at (405) 246-0025 for accommodations. We do not want a barrier of access to be the reason a strong candidate doesn’t apply.
How It Works
From application to appointment, in five steps.
A service-academy admission is the result of two parallel processes — the Senator’s nomination, and the academy’s own admissions decision. Here is how the Senator’s side fits into the bigger picture.
Step 01
Apply to our office
Submit a complete application through the Senate’s online application portal, including transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and your essays.
Step 02
Selection Board review
The Senator’s Academy Selection Board reviews every complete application. Top candidates are invited to interview.
Step 03
Nomination decision
Senator Armstrong nominates a slate of qualified candidates per available academy slot, in accordance with federal law.
Step 04
Apply to each academy
Separately, you apply directly to each academy you’re interested in attending. Each academy’s process is its own.
Step 05
Appointment offer
The academy reviews nominated candidates, evaluates the CFA and medical exam, and offers appointments.
Application Materials
What you’ll need to submit.
Application questionnaire
Personal information, schools, activities, and academy preferences.
High-school transcript
Official, sent directly from your school.
SAT and/or ACT scores
Most recent official score reports.
Two letters of recommendation
From teachers, coaches, employers, or community leaders — not family members.
Personal essays
Two short essays: why you want to attend a service academy, and what you would bring to a military career.
Athletic and leadership record
A clear summary of varsity sports, leadership positions, clubs, and community service.
Candidate Fitness Assessment
Results from the academy-administered CFA when available; not required at initial application.
Deadlines & Cycle
When to apply.
Application opens
To be confirmed for the upcoming nomination cycle.
Complete application due
Typically falls in the fall of senior year, often late September or early October.
Selection Board interviews
Usually scheduled in November or December.
Nominations issued
Typically issued before the academies’ January cutoff.
Academy appointments
Issued by each academy on its own schedule, typically February through April. Because Senator Armstrong’s appointment runs through January 2027, the office is finalizing the precise dates for the next nomination cycle — please check back as the cycle opens, or call our Oklahoma City office at (405) 246-0025 for the most current information.
Other Nominating Sources
Senator Armstrong is one of several sources you can request a nomination from — and you should request from all of them.
Because of the competitive nature of service-academy admissions and the limited number of nominations each member of Congress can issue, candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for a nomination from every source they are eligible for. Applying to other offices does not affect your chances with Senator Armstrong.
For Oklahoma residents, the nominating sources are:
Senator Armstrong (this office) · Senator James Lankford · Your U.S. Representative (find them at congress.gov/members) · The Vice President of the United States · The President of the United States (for children of certain military service members) · The Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force (for children of service members and certain other categories)
Academy Resources
Learn more about each academy.
Each academy has its own admissions process, its own service obligation, and its own culture. Beyond the official admissions site, every academy maintains a network of local liaison officers in Oklahoma who can answer questions, host visits, and walk candidates through what the experience is really like. We strongly recommend reaching out.
USMA
U.S. Military Academy
West Point, New York — the Army’s officer-training academy, founded in 1802. Eight-year service obligation: five years active duty plus three years in the Selected Reserve or Individual Ready Reserve.
USNA
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis, Maryland — the Navy and Marine Corps officer-training academy, founded in 1845. Eight-year service obligation: five years active duty plus three years in the Reserve.
USAFA
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, Colorado — the Air Force and Space Force officer-training academy, founded in 1954. Eight-year service obligation: five years active duty plus three years in the Inactive Reserve.
USMMA
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Kings Point, New York — trains officers for the U.S. Merchant Marine and the armed forces, founded in 1943. Graduates serve as licensed merchant marine officers and as commissioned officers in a reserve component of the armed forces; alternative tracks include five years of active duty in any U.S. armed service.
A note on the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut: it is the only U.S. Service Academy that does not require a congressional nomination. Candidates apply directly to the academy. Learn more at uscga.edu.
Submit Your Application
Ready to apply?
Applications are submitted through the Senate’s online application portal. You’ll be able to save progress and return to your application as you gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, and your essays.
Application Portal
Start your nomination application.
The application is completed online. You’ll be asked to upload documents, list activities, and complete two essays. Plan for several hours across multiple sessions; you can save progress and return.
You’ll need: high-school transcript, SAT/ACT scores, two letters of recommendation, essays, and your list of activities & honors
Opens the application packet PDF in a new tab.
Need Help?
Call our Oklahoma City office at (405) 246-0025 and ask for the academy-nominations coordinator. If you have limited internet access or need accommodations to complete the application, please reach out by phone so we can help.
More From Our Office
Related services for students and families.
Internships
Internship opportunities in Senator Armstrong’s Washington and Oklahoma offices for college students and recent graduates.
Help with a Federal Agency
Casework assistance for Oklahomans navigating VA, SSA, IRS, USCIS, passport, and other federal-agency issues.
Contact the Office
Office locations, phone numbers, and the general constituent message form.